Cork-slab-packing machine



April 13,1926.

C. E. M MANUS CORK SLAB PAQKING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1923 April 13 ,1926. 158L073 v .C. E. MCMANUS CORK SLAB PACKING momma Filed Nov. 13. .1923

9 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 13 1926. 1,581,073

C. E. M MANUS CORK SLAB PACKING MACHINE Filed Ndv. 15. 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet s L A 3 1 52 I 42 1 51 44 53 A ril 13,1926. 1,581,073

7 E, M MANUS CORK SLAB PACKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 13 1926.

c. E. M MANUS CORK SLAB PACKING MACHINE Filed Nov 13, 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet s 0 9 z 0 no 5 1 w w m 7 2.4. 5 m J April 13,1926. 1,581,073 c. E.YMCMANUS V CORK SLAB PACKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 April 13,1926. I 1,581,073

' C. E. M MANUS CORK SLAB PACKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 April 13 1926.

C. E. MCMANUS CORK SLAB PACKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 t at-enter! Apr. 13, 1926.

UNITED; STATES CHARLES E. MGMANUS, OF NEWYORK, N. Y.

PATENTO I CORK-SLAB-PAGKING IVIACHIN E.

Application filed November 13, 1923. Serial No. 674,488.

ToaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. MoMANUs, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county,

and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Cor-l0 Slab-Packing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being. had

form pressure to each charge so as to secure substantially uniform density in the entire mass of granular cork w1th1n a mold, preparatory to the final step of baking or vulcanizing the compacted mass while still within the mold for the purpose of conditioning the adhesive or binder with which the separate cork granules are thinly coated so as to firmly bond these granules together. A slab thus formed is composed of a substantially integral mass having all of the properties of natural cork with the added properties of a substantial freedom from surface or concealed voids, and possibly a higher degree of resiliency.

A machine embodying my invention is so constructed that the compaction of the successive charges of granular cork composition is by a plunger, the effective length of .the succeeding strokes of which, is automatically varied toaccommodate the plunger to the progressively increasing mass of the cork composition within the mold, while at the same time maintaining the same degree of pressure developed witheach stroke and in relation to each charge. The actuating means for. this plunger, operates thereon as to the timing of the strokes and the pressure developed during each stroke, under uniform conditions at all times, the variance in the length of the stroke of the plunger re-,

sulting from an automatically acting connection between same and the actuating means therefor which will adjust itself upon succeding strokes, as required by the mass of granular cork composition which may be accumulatedin the mold at that time.

In conjunction with a plunger mechanism having the characteristics above referred to,

I provide a measuring mechanism acting in synchronism with the plunger actuating means, whereby a charge of cork composition will be delivered to within the mold prior to each compression stroke of the plunger, this measuring device being so constructed as to not only ensure a substantially uniform quantity of the cork composition being delivered with each charge, but a substantiallyequal distribution of each charge intlie measuring and feeding mechanism prior to its delivery to within the mold, thus avoiding any substantial variation in the volume of cork delivered to. different portions of the mold j I The molds used connection with the machine may vary from one and one-half inches or more in thickness by twenty to thirty inches in depth, and three feet or more in width, so that this effective distribution of the cork composition is highly desirable in securing that uniform density throughout all portions of the mass of cork composition compacted within the mold by a machine embodying my invention. Uniformity in the mechanical compaction of the cork,.limits the degree of that readjustment of the cork particles which occurs when the' mold, and its contents is. subjected to the heat of the baker or vulcanizer, duringwhich treatment any slight variances in density are compensated for by the tendency of the mass of cork composition to expand, which ex pansion beyond the limits of the dimensions afforded by the closed molds, is prevented.

.A machine embodying my invention is also so constructed that a closure plug is inserted in the opentopof the mold by means of the plunger mechanism, so that with a cycle of operations including a given number of strokes of the plunger, the mold will be completely filled, and after the last charge of the cork composition has'been compacted FF'ICE.

by the plunger, the next stroke of the plunger will insert theclosure plug and force it into the mold in engagement with the compacted mass .of cork composition under pressure, thus avoiding any space between the packed cork composition within the mold and this closure plug. a The plug is firmly secured in relation to the mold while so positioned that the displacement thereof as a result of expansion of the mass of cork composition within the mold during baking or vulcanization, is prevented.

The automatic mechanism for inserting the plug within the mold, necessitates the provision of means whereby no cork composition will be fed with relation to the mold during that stroke of the plunger which is utilized for inserting the plug in the mold, and for the automatic stoppage of the machine following this plunger stroke.

While in a machine embodying my invention the cork measuring and distributing mechanism is so constructed that no cork will be fed to the mold prior to and during that stroke ofthe plunger utilized for inserting the plug in the mold, the constructionis such that a charge will be properly measured out and distributed durlng this stroke so that upon the first stroke of the plunger upon the succeeding'cycle of operations, an initial charge will be delivered to the mold replacing the completely packed one, this condition being required because thefailure to deliver .a charge to the mold would result'in'an improper fillin and'compacting of the cork composition throughout the mold during any cycle of operations of the mechanisms of the machine.

The invention conslstsuprimarily in a'co'rk slab packing-machine embodyingftherein a support for a mold, a plunger adapted to enter said mold, a reciprocatory slide, means whereby said slide receives uniform reciprocatory movement, means carried by said slide and adapted tooperatively-engage said plunger and to impart positive reciprocatory motion thereto, means whereby the operative relation between said last named 'meansa'nd said plunger will be automatistrokes of saidplunger to compensate for the increasing volume of cork composition in said mold, and means delivering a measured quantity of cork composition'to within said mold prior toeac'h stroke of the plunger inwardly of the mold; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts'as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation from the left of the machine;

Fig.2 is a plan view; Fig.3 is-a front view with'the'cork com- POSltlOli hopper and parts appurtenant thereto and the mechanism for positioning the closure plug, removed;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line H of Fig. 3, with the cork composition hopper,

or long, stroke of the plun er;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the relation of parts at the completion of this initial stroke;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to 'Fig. 5 with the parts in their position prior to the final stroke for forcing the closure plug into the mold;

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the relation of parts at the completion-of the 'final stroke;

Fig.9 is a detail view of the controlling mechanism forthe feeding valve in its normal position; I V

Fig. 10 is a similar view showing in full lines the position of parts for effecting the stoppage of feed of the cork composition, and in dotted lines the "position of parts just prior to the fina'ls'troke of theplun'ge'r with each cycle of operations of the machine;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is'a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 isfa detail view of the mechanism for positioning the closure plug, the full lines showing the normal position of this mechanism, and'the dotted lines showing the position of parts just prior'to the final stroke of the plunger; 7 p i Fig. 14 is a similar views'howing the position of parts when the mechanism shown in Fig. '13 has been actuated to move the closure plug into position with relation to the mold; and

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 13.

Like numerals refer to like parts through out the several views,

In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, I employ a reciprocatory slide 20 mounted upon vertical guides 21, said guides being four in number as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. In addition to the guides 21, I provide a slideway 22 arranged substantially centrally of the group of guides21, which co-operates with, and will ensurethe desired rectilineal movement of, the slide 20. p

The slide 20 receives reciprocatory movement by means of a crank wheel 23 and a pitman 24 connecting said wheel with the slide 20 in any desired manner, such as is shown more particularly in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

To ensure ease of movement of the slide 20, I provide counterweights 25 connected therewith by'means of chains 26 passing over llO sprocket wheels 27 mounted upon a shaft 28 adjacentthe top of the machine. The counterweights 25 are guided in their movements by rods 29.

The crank wheel 23 is driven by means of a gear train 30 so as to secure any desired speed of, and power developed by, the. slide 20, the first gear of this train being driven from any desired source of power, as a belt and puliey mechanism 31, and a clutch mechanism 32 connecting this pulley with said gear train.

Forwardly of the crank wheel 23 and pitman 24, are suitable stop bars 33 above a table 34 adapted to receive a mold 35. Mounted forwardly of the bars 33 is a clamp bar 36 adapted to be brought into parallel relation with the faces of the bars 33 and to hold the mold firmly in position with relation to said bars by means of clamps 37 adjacent opposite sides of the machine. The clamps 37 are pivotally connected with the top bar 33 by means of pivotal links 38 so as to permit the clamps to be moved into or out of the engaging relation with the clamp bars 36 when positioning the mold in the machine, or when removing it therefrom.

The slide 20 has an extension 39 projecting forwardly of the slideway 22 to a position above the vertical center of a mold 35.

The composition cork delivered to a mold 35 is compacted therein by means of a plunger head 40, the dimensions of which are such as to have a free sliding fit within the cavity of a mold 35, the top of this cavity being open, and presented toward the extension 39 of the slide 20. This plunger head 40 is provided with a pmrality of stems 41 slidably mounted in the extension 39, and is caused to have reciprocatory movement with said slide 20 by means of connections between said slide and said plunger, so constructed that with a constant length of stroke of said slide, the effective length of stroke of said plunger head, will be progressively decreased so as to compensate for the progressively increased volume of cork composition accumulated within a mold during each cycle of operations of the machine. In addition to causing this variation in the effective stroke of the plunger, the connections between same 1 and the slide 20 are so constructed that the full power applied to the slide will be transmitted to said plunger and cause a positive pressure upon the contents of the mold.

The connections between the plunger head 40 and the slide 20, in the form of the invention shown, consists of a plurality of bars 42 carried by said plunger head and passing through openings in the extension 39 of the slide 20. The construction of each of these barsand of the parts appurtenant thereto, is identical with the other bars,

so that a detailed description of. but one of such mechanisms is necessary.

:The bar 42. has formed thereon, preferably upon oppos'ite edges thereof, two sequences of ratchet teeth 43 and 44, the teeth of one of these sequences of teeth being set in one direction, and those of the other being set in the opposite direction. The downward movement of the plunger 40 is imparted through the rack 43, and upward movement of said plunger is imparted through the rack 44, said racks being staggered in relation to each other, the rack 43 terminating adjacent the plunger head 40 and the rack 44 terminating adjacent the upper end of the bar 42. v

Carried by the extension 39 of the slide 20, is an oscillatory pawl 45 having an upwardly directed stem 46, acted 'uponby a spring 47, having a normal tendency to force said pawl into engaging relation with the rack 43. The pawl 45 in addition toits pivotal connection with the extension 39, is permitted slight reciprocatory movement to ensure the necessary engagement of this pawl withsucceeding teeth of the rack 43 upon succeeding strokes. of the slide 20.

Also carried by the extension 39 of the slide 20 in operative relation to the ratchct teeth 44, is a pivotal pawl 48 having a,

downwardly directed stem 49 acted upon by a spring 50, so as to normally force this pawl toward the teeth 44. Carried by the extension 39 of the slide 20 is a latch member 51. adapted to engage the pawl 48 and hold-it out of the operative relationto the teeth 44 at the end of the last stroke of each cycle of operations ofthe machine in packing each mold.

The stem 46 projects beyond the extension 39 of the slide 20 to an extent which will bring it into engagement with a plate 52 positioned on the top frame 53 of the machine as the slide 20 is approaching the limit of its upward movement, or its movement away from the mold, while the stem 49 is of a length and so positioned as to engage the plunger head 40 toward the limit of the downward movement of the slide 20 and plunger 40 during the last stroke of the cycle of operations of the machine in packing a mol 7.

The pawl 45 projects downwardly from the lower face of the extension 39 of the slide 20 while the pawl 48 projects upwardly from the upper face of said extension. 1

Each of the stems 41 is provided with an enlarged head, as 54,adapted to engage a cushioning spring 55 seated upon the top of the extension 39 of the slide 20. e

Above the bars 33, and forwardly thereof, is a hopper 56 adapted to receive cork composition, the outlet of which is controlled by a rotary measuring valve 57'.

adapted "to be intermittently actuated in synchronism with the movements of the plunger 40, so as 'to deliver to the mold succeeding measured quantitiesofcork composition prior to each compacting stroke of the plunger 40.

The measuring valve in the form of the invention shown, consists of four vanes set 90 apart upon a shaft 58, said vanes moving in a casing 59 having an opening downwardly thereof and=abovc an inclined'chute 60'having'an outlet opening at=61 above and in alincment with the open top of'thecavity of the mold Intermediate the outlet 61 and the measuring valve 57, is a reciprocatory gate 62 slidably mounted in relation to said chute and the hopper 56, and adapted to engage the bottom of the chute 60. This gate is adapted to be actuated by the extension 39 of the slide 20 by means of :lugs 63 projecting from the upper-end of said gate in the path of movement of said extension. The gate slides in slideways 614 formed'upon the hopper 56.

The valve gate 57 is actuated by meansof sprocket wheels 65 and 66 carried by the shaft'28 and idly mounted upon the shaft 58 respectively, and the connecting sprocket chain 67; Vhile the sprocket wheels 65 and'66 rotate alternately in opposite directions in accord with the reciprocatory movement of the slide-20, the measuring valve 57 has only unidirectional movement imparted thereto by a mechanism actuated by the wheel'66 and operative upon the shaft 58. This mechanism in addition to'impartinga timely actuation to the measuring device 57, is also so constructed that-the operative connect-ion between the shaft 58 and the sprocket wheel 66 will be automatically made inoperative to actuate the valve'57 to deliver cork composition to the chute 60 upon next to thelast-oscillationof the slide 20 of each cycle ofoperations of the machine, and during this stroke'only, so that during the last stroke of each cycle, no cork will be 'fed to the mold -as a result of the actuation of the gate 62, and this stroke may be utilized for forcing aclosure plug upon the already compacted mass of cork composition within themoldby the plunger 40. During this last stroke of the plunger, however, the measuring valve is operative to deliver a charge of cork composition to the chute-60 to be used as the initial charge in the moldto be filled during the succeeding cycle of operations of the machine, the movementof the shaft58 during this last stroke of the plunger 40 andthe slide 20 also serving toautomatically position the closure plug in relation to the moldin the.:path of move ment of the plunger.

The operative connections between the sprocket wheel66 and the shaft 58, in the form-oftheinvention shown, consists of a therewith.

.hub 69, keyed to theshaft 58 and rotatable This hub has diametrically op posite ratchet teeth 70 and 71, adapted to be engaged by a pawl 7 2, pivoted adjacent the shaft 58, and adapted by engagement with the teeth 70 or 71, to prevent a return movement of the shaft 58 with the return rotary movement of the sprocket wheel 66.

are diametrically oppositely disposed ratchet pins 73 and 74 which are normally thrust toward the sprocket wheel 66 by. springs 7 5 and 76, acting between a shoulder on said huh and collars 77 and 78 carried by said pins respectively.

Theends of the pins 7 3 and 7 4 adjacent the sprocket wheel66 are rounded as shown, and are adapted to co-operate with cam shaped clutch teeth 79 and 80 formed upon the wheel 66. The faces of said teeth 7980 are so positioned as to impart movement to the hub 69 wit-hthat movement of the sprocket wheel 66 coincident with the downward movement of the slide 20, and the cam shaped portion of said teeth are so formed as tomovc said pins outwardly against the tension of the springs and 76, during of the sprocket wheel 66 :in one direction,

the shaft 58 and the measuring valve 57 will be actuated to deliver a charge of cork composition from the hopper 56 to the chute 60,'while upon the return oscillation of said sprocket wheel movement of the shaft 58 will be-prevented by the engagement of the pawl 72 withone of the teeth 7 Oor 71 carried bythe hub 69. Diametrically opposite ratchet pins 73 and Marc used, because the operative movement of the shaft 52 is 180 in arc, and the clutch teeth 79 and are therefore required to co-operate with the pins 73 and 74 successively.

By the use of ratchet pins movable in the manner described, it is apparent that actuationof themeasuring valve 57 may be prevented during any down stroke of the slide 20 and plunger 40 by maintaining such ratchet pins 7 3 and 74 out of engaging relation with the clutch-teeth 79 and 80 when they have been forced outwardly by the cam surfaces upon'said clutch teeth. To secure this result, I idly mount upon the shaft 58, a ratchet wheel 81 having therein two segmental slots 82 and 83 having in the length thereof respectively, enlarged portions 8st and 85 adapted to receive enlarged heads 86 and 87 upon the ratchet pins 7 3 and 74 respectively.

Acting upon spring 88 having a normal tendency to impart a movement to said ratchet wheel counter to its movement with the shaft 58. The hub 69 is provided with a stop pin 89 the ratchet wheel 81 is a adapted to enter a recess 90 in the slot 82 so as to limit the movement of the wheel 81 under the control of said spring 88.

teeth 81, 81", 81 and 81 as shown more particularly in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings, these teeth being set 90 apart. Two of these teeth, 81-81, positioned diametrically opposite each other, are adapted to be.

engaged by the pawl 91 when the wheel 81 has been so actuated as to prevent the cooperating engagement of the clutch teeth 79 and 80 with the ratchet pins73 and 74, while the intermediate teeth 81 81 also set 180 apart, are adapted to be engaged by a thrust pawl 92 actuated by other mechanisms of the machine for the purpose of imparting movement of the wheel 81. with relation to the hub 69 when it is desired to prevent actuation of the measuring valve 57 during one reciprocatory movement of the slide 20 and its lunger 40.

The t rust pawl 92 is pivotally mounted upon a lever 93, and is provided with an adjusting screw 94, serving the two-fold function of accurately positioning this pawl with relation to the teeth 81" and 81, and acting as a releasing means for the pawl 91 prior to the last stroke ofthe slide 20 and the plunger 40. The lever 93 is acted upon by a slotted link 95 pivoted to one arm 96 of a lever, the other arm 97 of which is acted upon by a lift rod 98 carrying a tap pct 99, projected in the path of movement of. the plunger 10 so that the actuation of the lever 93 and pawl 92 will be timed with relation to the position of the plunger as determined by the operative relations between same and the slide 20. The link 95 is provided with a set screw 100 acting upon the lever 93 so as to secure the desired quantity of movement of said lever. The lift rod 98 carries a fork 101, the branches of which straddle the arm 97.

The tappet 99 is so set on the rod 98 that this rod will receive a short movement as the plunger 40 ascends prior to its last compacting stroke, this movement being sumcient to cause the actuation of the means for preventing the feeding of cork during the up-stroke of the plunger 10 and slide 20 following the final compacting stroke. This positioning of the tappet will, upon the upward stroke of the plunger 40 prior to the final down stroke in its cycle of operations in packing one mold, impart a long movement to the rod 98, which will cause the push pawl 92 to release the pawl 91 and permit the controlling mechanism for the measuring valve to operate during the down stroke of the plunger so as to deliver a charge to the chute 60 prior to the initial stroke of the slides 20 and plunger 4-0 upon the next cycle of operations when the next mold 1s to be filled and packed. In other words, the pawl 92 receives two impulses upon succeeding up strokes of the plunger 40, the operative effect of which impulses will be determined The ratchet wheel 81 is provided with four,

by the position of the plunger with relation to the slide 20, the first of these impulses serving to make the feed mechanism inoperative, and the second impulse serving to restore this feed mechanism to its normal operative position. j

The lower end of the rod 98 co-operates with an oscillatory latchmember 102 acted ently of the latch member 102.

Carried by the guide 33 is an angle bar 107, having a slot 108 through the horizontal angle thereof, corresponding in dimen- 810115 with the open top of the mold. Rearwardly of this slot is positioned the plate forming the rear wall of the funnel-like outlet 61 for the chute 60, which plate also serves as astop for properly positioning the closure plug for the mold. The horizontal,

flange of the angle 107 projects forwardly of this slot so as to serve as a support, for

this plug, while the successive charges of cork composition are deliveredto and compacted within the mold. The loweredge of the chute 60 terminates above this angle, a distance slightly greater than the height of the plug, so as to aiford the proper clearance for moving the plug above the opening 108, preparatory to the insertion of the plug within. the mold.

The lower end of the chute 60 is provided with a stiffening bar 109, and the upper end of the rear plate of the outlet'opening 61 is also provided with a brace 110, so as to prevent the yielding of this plate when-the plug is moved into position to be forced into the mold. The plug itself is shown at 111, this plug having therethrough openings 112, .adapted to register with openingslli in the mold 35, so that when the plug is properly inserted within the mold, it may be locked in this position by means of bolts, thus preventing its displacement during the interval while the mold is in the baker or vulcanizer.

The pluglll is adapted to be automatically moved into position above the opening 108, and the open top of the mold, during the final downward stroke of the plunger 40 and slide 20, of each. cycle of operations of the machine, by means of a mechanism which I will now describe. I

Mounted upon the frame of the machine below the shaft 58, is a rock lever, one arm 114 of which extends to adjacent said shaft, and the other arm 115 of which extends downwardly adjacent the level of the horizontal flange of the angle bar 107'. Pivot-v ally connected to the arm 115 is a thrust bar 116 carrying a head 117, adapted to engage the plug 111. This head 117 is provided on its under sidewith a cam 118, spaced rearwardly of the end thereof which engages the bar 107, the portion of this head forwardly of said cam, in the direction of operative movement of the thrust member 116, being adapted to rest upon the horizontal flange of the angle bar 107. Slidably mounted uponsaid bar 116 is a latch member 119 having a downturned end adapted to enter a socket 120 in the top of the plug 111. The latch member 119 is provided with elongated slots 121, adapted to receive a pin 122 carried by the rod 116. The end of said latch member is adapted to bear against the reinforcing bar 109, so as to accurately position the plug 111 in relationto the opening 108, while the mold is being filled.

The pin and slot construction 121 and 122, permits movement of the rod 116, independently of the latch member, while the plug is receiving movement,but insures the proper relative position of these'parts at all other times. The latch member is acted upon by a spring 123 which will also serve to maintain the lever 114 and 115 in the proper operative relation to the mechanism for actuating the rod 116 through said lever, when the plug is, in position. y

A plurality of such levers, 114 and 115,

are used in the form of the invention shown,

two rods 116 and parts appurtenant thereto,

being used, one, adjacent each end of the plug 111. If desired, however, the number acted upon by a spring 127 normally lifting this dog out of the path of movement of the members 124. Mounted above the shaft 58 is a lever 128, one arm of which carries an adjustable impact member 129, and the other arm of which is positioned in the path of movement of a striker 130 on a lift arm 131, said striker being positioned in the path of movement of the plunger 40 and so set upon said rod 131 that it will be engaged by said plunger during its upward move ment prior to the final downward stroke of the plunger and of the slide 20. Hence upon this downward stroke ofthe plunger and the slide, the dog 125 will be in the path of movement of one of the hooked members 124'a's a result of the actuation of the lever 128 and the resulting engagement of the impact member 129 with said dog.

While the lift rod 98 will receive two impulses during each cycle of operations of the machine, the lift rod 131 need receive but one such impulse, which will, however, be coincident with the long stroke of the lift o The lever114-115 is carried by a rock shaft 132 extending the full length of the machine so that duplication of this mechanism is not required.

Adjacent the lower end of the rod 131 is a latch member 133 acted upon by a spring 134 and having {tl'GCQ'SS 135- therein adapted to receive the lower end of this rod. The downward movement of the lift rod 131 is limited by a lug 136 co-operating with a stop 137 upon the frame of the machine.

The mechanism immediately above. de: scribed is auton'iatically set, upon the upward stroke of the plunger 40 following its final compacting stroke, and is actuated during the final downward stroke of the slide 20 and plunger 40.

The latch members 102 and 133 are carried respectively by rock shafts 138139. Carried by said shafts respectively are centering members 140141 having wedgelike surfaces adapted to enter corresponding openings 142-143 in the ends of the plug 111. These centering devices with the movement of the latch members 102 and 133 under the control of their respective springs plug under the control of the mechanisms,

carried by the levers 114 and 115. The wedge-like contacting surfaces between these members and the plug will result in the restoration of the latch members and the lift rods to theirnormal position after the plug has been properly inserted in themold.

In conjunction with the plunger actuating mechanism, including the mechanism by which the effective compacting stroke of the plunger will be progressively decreased by the successive changes in the relation of the plunger to the mechanism which actuates same, to accommodate itto the increasing volume of cork composition accumulated within the mold, the mechanism by which succeeding measured charges of cork composition are delivered to the mold is required, including the means by which this mechanism is made inoperative when it is not desired to deliver cork to the mold, and the mechanism by which the closure plug is nism is so constructed that while it is adapted to be set through the medium of the plunger40, as determined by the position of said plunger relative to the slide 20, or as determined by the length of the plunger, the actuation of this mechanism will occur only when the plunger is in its lowermost position.

Indetail as shown in the accompanying drawings, this mechanism comprises a shift bar 144 operative upon the clutch 82' Slidably mounted upon said bar is a clutch member 145, adapted to enter a recess 146 in SZUCl bar having a clutch shoulder thereon,

adapted to co-operate with the clutch member 145. Said clutch member is adapted to have vertical movement in relation to said bar,t permit it to enter and leave said recess.

, Acting upon said member is a'spring 147, having a normal tendency to so position it that it will enter said recess 146. At 148 is a rock shaft having thereon a latch member 149, and an impact member 150, said impact member being connected with the clutch n'1ember'145 by a chain or other flexible connection 151, passing about a pulley 152' Adjacent the latch member 149 is a lift rod 153, having an arm 165 engaging the tappet 99, and has secured thereto a block 154,which also carries a. lock pin 155,

adapted to co-operate with the latch memher 149. Acting upon the block 154 is a spring 156 acting to normally force said block and the lockpin carried thereby, to wards the stop 157, in a manner to engage the pin 155 with the latch member 149.

Carried by the crank wheel 23 are a sequence of tappets 158 and 158. the former of which is adapted by co-operation with the impact member 150, to actuate the shift bar 144 to stop the machine when the plunger 40 is at the limit of its downward movement upon the last stroke of a cycle of operations of the machine so as to cause said plunger to hold the closure plug firmly in position while the stay bolts are being positioned with relation to said plug, and the adjacent. walls of the mold, and the latter of which, is so positioned that upon the restarting of the machine, prior to the re moval of the mold, the upward movement of the plunger will be limited. toan extent to prevent the actuation of the gate 62 by the slide until after the new mold has been. positioned in the machine.

In conjunction with the mechanism just described, I provide a safety mechanism consisting of a rock lever 159, onearm of which is adapted to enter a recess 160 in the. shift bar 144, and the other arm of whichis adapted to be engaged by the lift rod 153, a construction which will automatically act to prevent an accidental movement of the shift bar 144 when the clutch 32 is released.

Acting upon the block 154 is afoot controlled lever 161, by means of which the lift rod 153 and the lever 159 may be manually actuated independently of other mechanisms in the machine.

I also provide a hand lever 162 pivotally connected with the shift bar 144 to permit" the manual actuation ofthis bar in starting the machine, and foot controlled lever 163, for controlling the clutch member 145. or disengaging it from its co-operating recess 1.46, when it is desired to start the machine.

The hand brake mechanism shown at 164 is a retard device acting upon the gear train for the purpose of preventing overrun ning of the machine when the clutch 32 is released.

In describing the operation of the machine, I will refer to the pawl as a push pawland the pawl 48 as a lift pawl,-it being noted that the latch member 51 for bold "ing this lift pawl out of engagement with the ratchet. rack 44 is provided with a heel 51 adapted to engagethe head 54 of the ad Jacent guide rod 41, when the slide 20 is" in the uppermost engaging position therewith and the plunger head '40 is in the lowermost position so as to permit said pawl toengage the uppermost ratchet tooth of the sequence.

44 prior to the first down stroke of the plunger in each cycle 'of operations of the machine. a Y

It is also to be noted that while I have herein referred to the progessive decrease of the effective stroke of the plunger 40, it

is-not to be understood that the actual stroke of the plunger varies sincethis movement is always with and in accordance with the movement of the slide 20. The effectiveness of the" stroke of the plunger results fromthe progressive changing relation of the plunger with relation to saidslide, so that with a given quantity of movement of the plunger, and of the slide upon succeeding strokes thereof, the effect secured is that of a progressively decreasing length of stroke. In other words, the actual result is the pro-' gressive shortening of the plunger mechanism, which has the same effect as a variance in the'length of stroke, or as heretofore expressed in the specification, a variance in the effective stroke of the plunger.

of parts as shown in Figs..1, 3, 4 and 5, as

these views show the conditions just prior to the initial compaction stroke of the plunger and the slide20, a charge of cork composition having already been delivered to the mold 35. The operation of the machine and the steps of this operation prior to. the parts being broughtinto this relation will be described following the description of the functioning of the machine immediately after the final stroke of the plunger in the first cycle of operations, and in relation to the succeeding cycle of oper-' ations.

When the parts assume the position shown in the figures above referred to,'the crank wheel 23 is already in motion, and'as a re sult of its continued rotation, the slide 20 is drawnv downwardly, the lift pawl 48 remaining in engagement with the uppermost tooth of the sequence of teeth or rack 44 and the push, pawl remaining outof engagement with the uppermost tooth of its sequence of teeth or rack 43 until the plunger head 40 enters the mold and encounters resistance therein either by engagement with the walls of the mold cavity or with the charge of cork composition therein. When, the plunger thus meets re-,

sistance to its descent, the slide 20' will move toward the plunger head 40 along the stems 41 until the push pawl 45 engages the first tooth of its sequence of teeth or rack 48 and thelift pawl 48 passes'from' engagement with the'first tooth or its sequence of teeth or rack 44 and'engages the next lower tooth thereon. During this movement, the lost motion between the push pawl 45 and its pivot is taken up after the engagement of the pawl 45 with the tooth with which it be that toward the veryend of the stroke co-operates at the moment. The result will when the-crank-wheel 23 is developing its greatest power,or when the crank of said wheel is approaching the. bottom vertical center of the wheel, a positive pressure will I be applied to the cork composition, which I slide 20, the counterweights 25 will be raised through the medium of the chains will cause it to receive-the desired degree of compaction to ensure substantially uniform density throughout the entire charge upon which the plunger acts. 1 f

During the downward movement of the 26 passing over the sprocket wheels 27, thus turning the shaft 28 which through the chain and sprocket mechanism 65, 66 and 67 will actuate the measuring valve 57 with a movement of 180, thus delivering upon the chute 60, the cork composition to be used for the next charge, along which chute it will'descend in a manner tocause its substantially equal distribution throughout the entire width of the chute by the time it reaches and. is, accumulated at the gate 62.

Duringeach cycle of operations thecrank wheel 28 rotates continuously so that when the plunger 40 has reached the limit of its downward movement, the direction of movementofthe slide 20 is reversed, this slide in its ascent carrying with it the plunger 40 as a result of the engagement of the lift pawls 48 with their respective racks 44.

During the ascent of the slide 20, the counterweights 25 will descend, imparting a reverse rotary movement to the sprocket wheels 27, shaft 28 and the chain and sprocket mechanism 65, 66 and 67, the shaft 58, however, being held against rotation b the pawl 7 2 engaging one of the teeti 7 0-71 upon the hub 69. A detailed description of the operation of this feed mechanism will be given hereinafter, the foregoing merely being to show the relative timing of the different mechanisms.

As the slide 20 approaches the limit of its upward movement, it will engage the various lugs 63 and thus raise the gate 62 so as to permit the cork retained upon the chute 60 thereby to flow into the mold.

Also as the slide 20 approaches the limit of its upward movement, the stem 46 ofeach push pawl 45 will engage its plate 52, thus oscillating the push pawl 45 and disengaging it from the tooth with which it was in operative relation upon the conclusion of the preceding descent of the slide 20, the lost motion connection between this pawl 45 and The above described operations will be repeated until the push pawl 45 and the lift pawl 48 have successively engaged each ratchet tooth of the sequences 43 and 44 respectively, except the last tooth, cork being fed by the measuring-valve 57 to upon the chute 60 during each downward movement of the plunger 40 and of the slide 20, excepting during the next to the last down stroke, the charge thus measured out being delivered to the mold upon the succeeding upstroke of said slide and said plunger.

Upon next to the last stroke of the slide 20 andplunger 40, or uponthe sixteenth stroke, as shown in theaccompanying drawings, no cork will be fed to the chute 60 so that upon the up stroke preceding the final down stroke, the movement of the gate 62 will not result in the feeding of any cork to the mold. Upon this up stroke, the pawls 4-5 and 18 will be in position with relation to the teeth upon the respective bars, and the plunger head l will be in position with relation to the slide 20, as shown in F '7 of the drawings.

As the plunger 40 and the slide 20 pass upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 7, one end of said plunger, by engagement with the tappet 99, will give the second impulse to the lift rod 98, with the three-fold result of positioning the parts of the controlling mecln may be rotated during the final downward stroke of said plunger; positioning the stop mechanism so that it will be set upon completion of this stroke, and releasing the latch member 102; and the other end of said plunger will engage the tagpet 180, and raise the lift rod 131 so as to actuate the lever 12S, and position the dog 125 in the path of movement of one of the hooked members 12% and release the latch member 133.

The simultaneous lifting of the rods 98 and 131 releasing the latch members 102 and 133, permits said latch members to rock under their springs 103 and 134, thus rocking the shafts 13S and 189, and bringing the. centering heads 1410 and 1 11 toward each other and in engaging relation with the plug 111. This accurately positions this plug with relation to the opening 108, and the open top of the mold, the wedge-shaped heads 1 and 1 11 being of a width to engage the plug 111 while it is resting upon the flange 1.07, and while it is being moved into position above the mold, said plug being held suspended above the opening 108 by these heads until it is actually forced to within the mold.

Bis the plunger 40 and sl de 520 descend for the final stroke of the cle of operations, the shaft will be lO-aitl, causing cork composition to be fed by the measuri pawl 57 to upon the chute (50, and at the same time rotating th hooked member 124. in a nanner to cause the oscillation of the lovers 11 1 and 115, to cause the push rod 116 and the parts appurtenant thereto to force the plug 111 into a position in the path of movement of the plunger l0, so that this final stroke of said plunger will be utilized to position this plug within the mold. This positioning of the plug, in the event of any slightexpansion of the final charge of compacted cork composition, exerts a compacting pressure, so that the entire mass of cork composition wit iin the mold will be closely confined n all sides thereof.

the plug 111 is forced to within the its mold nism for the shaft 58 so that said shaft by the plunger 10, the co-operating wedge surfaces thereon and on the centering members 1l0-1d1 will cause a return rocking movement of these members so as to permit the lift bars 102 and 133 and the parts actuated thereby to return to their normal position preparatory to the succeeding cycle of operations of the machine.

The detailed ope ation of the mechanism for positioning the plug 111 in proper relation to be forced to within the mold, will be described more fully hereinafter.

As the plunger 40 reaches its lowermost position, the tappet 158 upon the crank wheel 23 will engage the impact member 150 to cause the stoppage of the machine in a ianncr to be hereinafter more fully de scribed, while this plunger is still in its lowermost position. This stoppage of the machine will hold the plug 111 in a position where bolts may be inserted through the openings therein, and the registering openings in the sides of the mold.

7 As the plunger approaches the limit of its linal downward stroke, the slide will have movement toward said plunger, to ensure the engagement of the push pawl 45, with the last tooth upon its sequence or rack 43, during which movement of the slide relative to the plunger head, the stem 49 will be engaged with the top of the plunger bar at a time to cause continued movement of the slide 20 to raise this stein a 'ainst the tension of the spring 50, and oscillate the lift pawl 18 so as to disengage it from the last tooth upon its sequence or rack 4.4, and bring the top of this pawl to a position where it will pass under the latch member 51. The lift pawl 4-8 will thus be in a position where, upon the next up stroke of the slide 20, it will be inoperative with relation to the bar 42, and thus permit a partial return mov ment of the slide 20, during its next up stroke, without im :arting any movement to the plunger l0. As the slide 20, l'iowevcr, approaches the enlarged head flit of the stems 41, the heel 51 of the latch member will engage this enlarged head, tons lifting the latch member and permitting the lift pawl 48 to engage the first tooth of its sequence or rack dl, thus positioning the parts 1 so that upon the continued up stroke of said slide 20, a corresponding up stroke will be in'iparted to the plunger d0.

The stop mechan' in is so constructed, that while the clutch may be manually set to cause this up stroke of the slide 20, it will be automatically actuated to stop the ma chine before this slide engages the lugs 03 of the gate 62, thus positioning the varioi'is parts of the machine where the mold 35, which has been completely filled, packed and plugged, may be removed from'its position in the machine, and an empty mold substituted therefor. I

In removing the mold, the clamps 37 are between these clamp bars, and the guide bars 33. The clamp bars 36 are then raised in engagin relation with the forward face of said mold, and the links 38 swung downwardly, and the cams 37 actuated to force the clamp bars into a position which will ensure the desired vertical alinement'of the mold cavity with the plunger head 10.

Adverting to the mechanism for actuating the measuring valve in a manner to secure the feeding of successive charges of cork composition to the mold, as described above, it has already been pointed out that upon each down stroke of the plunger a0 and slide 20, the sprocket wheel and chain mechanism 65, 66 and 67, causes a movement of 180 in the shaft 58 and in the measuring valve 57, to deliver a charge of cork composition upon the chute 60, upon which it will be held by the gate 62 until upon the next up stroke of the slide 20, this gate is opened so as to permit the cork composition to flow into the mold. It has also been pointed out that the final compacting stroke of the plunger is next to the last stroke of the cycle of operations in filling and compacting cork composition in a mold, and that upon the up stroke prior to this last compacting stroke, the actuating mechanism operative upon the shaft 58 is made inoperative with relation thereto, so that no cork composition will be delivered by the valve 57 during the final compacting stroke of the plunger so that upon the upstroke of the plunger and slide 20 prior to the final stroke of the cycle of operations of the machine, no cork will be delivered to the mold, but this mechanism will again be made operative so that during the final stroke, cork composition will be delivered to the chute preparatory to the first stroke of the succeeding cycle of operations.

I will now describe in detail the functions of the controlling mechanism for the measuring device, by which cork composition is delivered in succeeding measured quantities to the mold prior to each compacting stroke, but not prior to the final stroke, of the plunger, at which time no cork is required to be delivered, but it is required that a charge be accumulated so as to make the first stroke of the succeeding cycle of operations of the machine effective in filling the mold.

As the slide 20 is drawn downwardly by the crank shaft 23 and pitman 24, the chain 26 in addition to raising the counterweights, turns the shaft 28 in a direction which will,

through the sprocket wheel 65 and'chain 67,

180 movement, the pawl 72 engages one of the teeth or 71, thus preventing a return movement of the hub.

Upon the following upward stroke of the slide 20 the direction of rotation of the sprocket wheel 66 is reversed, but the hub 69 and shaft 58 are held against movement therewith by said pawl 72. As the hub 69 is thus turned, the enlarged heads 86 and 87 of the ratchet pins 73 and 7 1: will be seated in the enlarged portions 8st and of the ratchet wheel 81, so as to cause this ratchet wheel to have movement with the hub 69. lVhile the sprocket wheel 66 has an oscillatory movement, the shaft 58 receives an intermittent unidirectional movement therefrom.

During the return movement of the sprocket wheel 66, the cam surfaces of the clutch members 79 and 80 will force the ratchet pins 7 8 and 7d outwardly, the length of these cam surfaces causing the clutch members 79 and 80 to respectively engage the pins 7 3 and 7 4t successively, since as these pins ride beyond the high point of said cams, they will drop into position in advance of the clutch members, so as to be in position to be engaged thereby upon the net actuation of said clutch members. During the operations of the shaft 58 for delivering cork composition to the chute 60, the pawl 92 is inoperative with relation to the ratchet wheel 81', although this pawl will be in a position where it can engage any of the teeth 81, 81, 81, or 81, the pivotal support of this pawl permitting said teeth to pass the pawl.

Upon the upstroke of the plunger 40 preceding its final compacting stroke, it will engage the tapp-et 99 and raise the lift rod 98, the pawl 101 oscillating said lever 9 -97,

sufficiently to draw the link 95 downwardly to impart an oscillatory movement to the lever 93, which will cause the thrust pawl 92 to act upon the tooth 81 of the ratchet wheel 81, and impart a partial rotation to this wieel sufficient to cause the portions thereof adj went the slots 82 and 83, to pass beneath-the enlarged heads 86 and 87 of the ratchet pins 7 3 and 74:. This prevents the return of said pins into operative relation with the clutch i'RQlllllC-lS 79 and 80, prior to the next movement of said members which ordinarily would impart rotary movement to the shaft 58. This movement of the ratchet wheel 81 is against the tension of the spring 88, and brings the tooth 81 of this wheel into a position where it will be engaged by the pawl 91, and prevent a re turn movement of the wheel under the control of said spring, thus causing the hub 69 to remain stationary during the next move ment of the sprocket wheel 66, during the next to the last down movement, or final compacting stroke, of the plunger 40.

Upon the up stroke of the plunger 40, preceding its final down stroke of its cycle of operations, the lift rod 98 will receive a second and longer impulse owing to the changed position of the plunger with relation to the slide. 20, which longer impulse will cause the lever 93 to be again oscillated, but to a greater extent owing to the increased length of the impulse. This longer movement causes the adjustment screw 941 to engage the pawl 91, and disengage it from the tooth 81 permitting return oscillatory movement of the wheel 81 under the control of the spring 88, this movement being limited by the stop pin 89 entering the recess 90. This return movement of the wheel 81 will permit the ratchet pins 73 and 7 1 to move into engaging position with relation to the thrust members '1' 9 and so that upon the next down stroke of the plunger, the shaft 58 will be turned in the manner heretofore described The adjustment screw 94 has the two-fold function of permitting accuracy in the positioning of the thrust pawl 92, in relation to the teeth 81 and 81, and of disengaging the holding pawl 91 from the teeth 81 or 81 in the manner described.

The set screw may be used for insuring a desired relation of the adjusting screw 91- and the stop pawl 91, the said screws 9% and 100 giving a range of adjustment which will secure the cesired relation of parts with regard to the movements of the lift rod 98.

As the lift rod 131 is raised upon the up stroke of the plunger 40, preceding the fina down stroke of this plunger in a cycle of operations of the machine, causing the r lease of the latch member 133 and the oscillation of the lever 128 as heretofore described, the movement of the shaft 58 upon the final plunger stroke will cause one of the hooked members 12-l to engage the dog and rock the lever 11115, or all of such levers carried by the rock shaft 132, thus moving the thrust bar 116 and its heat 11; toward and into engagement with the plug 111. This movement is a ainst the tension of the spring 128, and said thrust bar has movement in the latch member 119. A the head 11'? moves forwardly, the cam 11.8 thereon, by engagement with the horizontal flange 10?, will raise both the bar and the latch member 119 so that said latch memher is disengaged from the plug 111 and permits the continued movement of the thrust bar 116 to impart the desired movement to the plug 111.

The arrangement of the fitting 'arrying the hooked members 12st is sch that the operation above d scribed will occur during the'early part of the downward stroke of the plunger, so that when the plunger appreaches the end of its stroke where it can engage the plug 111, this plug will already be in a position where it can be forced into he mold by the plunger.

As the plug is moved towards themold the centering members 1 10 '11 are oscillated to cause a return movement of the latch members 102 and 138, thus permitting the lift rods 98 and 181 to descend to their normal position, which will permit the spring tain the lever 128 in its engaging relation to the tappet 130.

Adverting now to the stop mechanism, as the lift rod 98 is raised upon next to the last up stroke of the plunger, while it will impart movement to the lift bar 153 by means of the arm 165 thereon engaging the tappet 99, this movement will have no operative effect in stopping the machine. Upon the upward movement preceding the final down stroke of the plunger 10, however, the greater movement during the second impulse of the lift rod 98 will raise the lift bar 153 and with it the block 154 to an extent to disengage the lock pin 155 carried thereby from the recess in the latch member 149, and at thesame time afford clearance which will permit the rock lever 159 to move from its engaging relation with the recess 160 in the shift bar 14 1. When the parts are in this position, the rock shaft 148 carrying the latch member 1 19 and the impact member 150, will be rotated as a result of the movement of the clutch member 145 under the control of the spring 147. hen the parts are so set, the impact member 150 will be in the path of movement of the tappet 158 which will be approximately 180 removed from the position of said impact member.

lVhcn the parts are in this position, a re turn movement of the lift bar will have no operative effect in changing the setting of the stop mechanism. As the clutch member 1 15 is moved in the manner described by the spring 147, it will drop into the recess 146 in the shift bar 1441, the lever 163 oscillating under the weight of this clutch member to permit this engagement between the clutch member and the shift bar.

Upon the completion of the next 180 of movement of the crank wheel 23, the tappet 158 thereon will. engage the impact member 150, and oscillate same in a manner to impart longitudinal movement to the clutch member 145 andtherethrough to the shift 

